TAC Tech > Tips & Tricks
Dashboard turn signal lens help [especially 80-81]
5th T/A:
I am looking for suggestions on my 1980 TA dash turn signal lens. I am pretty certain that only 1980 and 1981 Firebirds had a round cutout for the dash turn indicator. 1970 - 1979 had an arrow shaped cutout. The green plastic lenses have deteriorated on my car. I thought I had a solution from FBODY warehouse, but they are not the correct size or tint color.
This photo shows one of my damaged lens on the left side and the replacement lenses on the right. Notice the original lens has a darker tint and the arrow font is much smaller.
IMG_9479 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr
Here is a picture showing the replacement lens from FBODY of the left side indicator temporarily taped to the front of the instrument panel. Notice the arrow size is too large for the opening in the dash.
IMG_9473 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr
This last photo shows the FBODY warehouse replacement lens on the left and the original lens on the right with the four-way flasher mode lighting both lenses. I am still using a stock 194 bulb. Notice the replacement lens on the left is washed out and doesn't even look green. The original lens on the right is green except where the plastic is cracked, and the arrow font is the correct size.
I am looking for suggestions as what I could use for the translucent plastic film. I can duplicate the imprinted arrow using my computer and printer.
IMG_9475 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr
Wallington:
That is a very poor part to sell, obviously it suits something else and they just repackage knowing it's junk. FBW now run by money grabbers, not an enthusiast.
TATurbo:
I don't think my original turn signal indicator had an arrow on it. I think it was just a green circle. But maybe my exprience might help a little...maybe?
I had my 1981 instrument cluster rebuilt, refaced, and recalibrated by AutoInstruments. When I sent it to them I informed them I needed a replacement green lens for the turn signals. Instead of giving me a new lens, they installed a green filter in the gauge cluster itself:
PC200045-001 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr
PC200047 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr
Although they were obviously green, the color was really funky when lit...Sort uf a muddy yellow instead of green:
P1160042 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr
I replaced the incadecent bulbs with LED's and it corrected the color. I also liked the look of the LED's better (A personal choice obviously. Here's a video showing both. The color on the video isn't great, but you get the idea...
https://youtu.be/cWBNIdoFY6M
I found that the LED's were too bright at night. So, ultimately I added a greeen set of those condom looking color filters they sell for changing the color of incadecent bulbs to the LED's. That combo got the color and brightness just right in my opinion.
5th T/A:
Tom, thanks, I thought about trying one of those green colored bulb covers. So is the video you posted showing a green Led bulb or an incandescent bulb with a green cover?
Gene-73:
--- Quote from: 5th T/A on February 26, 2022, 04:43:36 PM ---I am looking for suggestions as what I could use for the translucent plastic film. I can duplicate the imprinted arrow using my computer and printer.
--- End quote ---
What you want to shop for are called photographic gels. They are plastic sheets put over lights to change the color temperature. Lots of different colors to choose from.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Lighting-Filters/ci/1329/N/3662541030?filters=fct_filter-color_4543%3Agreen%2Cfct_format_2203%3Asheets
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